Description

1970 Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow I

Brakes fully overhauled by Ristes; air con system rebuilt; electronic ignition; recent repaint; driven 120 miles to the sale; a well-sorted Shadow, ready to enjoy

To paraphrase Boris (or was it Churchill?) if the British motor industry last for a thousand years, men will still say: ‘This was their finest hour’. Hand-crafted by men in overalls, the Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow still stirs the soul of any true Brit more than any car built since. From its launch in 1965 to its demise in 1980, the Shadow has come to represent all that is best about our island race.
Ignore the badge on the boot, this fine old lady is of course a Shadow I as the II did not come out until 1977. Dating from December 1970 she was bought by our vendor in 2013 with around 107,500 miles on the clock, a total which has now risen to 113,900.
During his ownership the vendor has lavished much money on the car including a full repaint in silver over blue earlier this year. Prior to painting the bodywork was restored as necessary including repairs to the lower front wings, the rear wheel arches and the front and rear valance panels. The inner and outer sills had been previously repaired and are rock solid, as can be seen in the photos.
In August 2016 the complex hydraulic braking system was fully rebuilt by marque experts Ristes of Nottingham at a cost of over £3,000 (excluding many of the parts required which were supplied separately at considerable extra expense by Flying Spares), this being a major plus point when buying any Shadow from this era.
Other work of note during the current ownership includes a full overhaul of the air conditioning system with a brand new compressor/dryer and conversion to more modern R134a refrigerant gas; new twin barrel electric fuel pump; replacement distributor with vacuum advance/retard from a Shadow II; Lumenition electronic ignition system; twin coil set-up from a later Shadow; replacement inlet and exhaust manifold gaskets and other top engine seals; replacement window motors; dashboard clock rebuilt; new speakers installed; door cappings relacquered; central locking system overhauled; stainless steel front exhaust pipe and front silencer fitted; new rear spring cup and replacement shock absorber.
Driven some 120 miles to the sale, the car presents well and has been starting instantly and driving beautifully as we have moved it around on site, feeling unusually taut and composed for a Shadow I. The navy blue hide interior is nicely mellowed and just oozes that unique Rolls-Royce feelgood factor that turns every journey into an occasion.
Being offered here at a very modest guide price, this stately and well-maintained Shadow is just what the doctor ordered to keep those winter blues at bay as we all wait for the distant bugle of the scientific cavalry who will soon release us into the broad, sunlit uplands that surely lie beyond. Go on, you only live once…
For more information contact James on 07970 309907 or email james.dennison@brightwells.com